MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2006 

MAYOR ROBERT DUFFY, ASSEMBLYMEMBER SUSAN JOHN, TOM FREY ANNOUNCE MAJOR FUNDING FOR PARK TRAIL IN ST PAUL NEIGHBORHOOD

 
Mayor Robert J. Duffy today announced that the City has secured grant awards totaling $2,200,000 for the El Camino Butterhole-Seneca Park Trail, a 6-year project conceived by the Genesee Land Trust in partnership with the City of Rochester and several neighborhood associations. The trail transforms the two and one-quarter mile long CSX railroad right-of-way into a walking and biking trail extending from Seneca Park to St. Paul St. near Scrantom St. just north of the Smith St. Bridge.
          
"This trail is a perfect example of what can be accomplished through collaboration and partnership," said Mayor Duffy. "I am grateful to Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, Assemblymember Susan John, Tom Frey, Eastman Kodak and the hard work of the Genesee Land Trust, the Land Conservancy and all of the neighborhood groups who collaborated with the City to realize this project. This neighborhood will benefit tremendously from the addition of the El Camino Butterhole-Seneca Park Trail."
 
The City of Rochester used $395,000 to purchase the land, which represented much of the required local 20 percent match for federal funds. Funding breakdown consists of $2,000,000 Federal Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) funds, a $150,000 Eastman Kodak donation and $50,000 in State Multi-modal funding secured by Assemblymember Susan John. The Trail uses a portion of the land from the City's $1.3 million purchase of abandoned CSX railroad (often called the Rochester Running Track).
 
The new trail will connect residential neighborhoods with the City's Genesee Riverway Trail and Seneca Park, and provide opportunities for recreation and exercise in a safe and healthy environment.     
 
The Genesee Transportation Council brings local planning and priorities to the Federal TEP program. "I'm pleased that this long sought-after project has finally come to fruition," said Congresswoman Slaughter. "The completed trail is a testament to the many neighborhood activists and organizations who together created a vision of turning the neglected blight of a railroad bed into a community treasure. This is a perfect example of the public and private sectors working together to invest in our City."
 
 "Butterhole-Seneca Park Trail project is a shining example of a private-public investment in our community for the public good," said Assemblymember Susan John.  "Working with Mayor Duffy, Eastman Kodak, the Nature Conservancy, the Land Trust and neighborhood groups, I am pleased to help provide another trail park for families to enjoy.  Butterhole-Seneca Park Trail continues our community's commitment to develop livable neighborhoods in every part of the city.
 
Eastman Kodak Company continues to be committed to the local community.  Many of its employees live in the area and many others who work at Kodak Park will be able to enjoy the new trail as a place to walk, run and bicycle.
 
For the Genesee Land Trust, a non-profit land conservation organization protecting 2500 acres in Greater Rochester, the Trail is the culmination of many years of hard work. The Trust brought together several organizations, including the City of Rochester, Ibero American Action League, Group 14621 and other neighborhood organizations. Under the leadership of former County Executive and Genesee Land Trust Board Member Tom Frey, local community organizations and neighbors have joined with the City to create a plan that uses the formerly abandoned railway bed as a walking, biking greenway that will beautify and offer access to resources in many underserved neighborhoods. "We are thrilled to have this come to fruition and look forward to all the work and activities that lay ahead," said Gay Mills, Executive Director of Genesee Land Trust.
 Supported by a Civic Engagement grant from the Rochester Area Community Foundation, Genesee Land Trust became a catalyst, enabling the parties directly involved to have a voice in this ambitious project.  The Trust brought together hundreds of volunteers to work on the Trail each year through the United Way's Day of Caring and sponsored a community art project in collaboration with the Arts and Cultural Council.  Engagement of the community from the school children at Schools # 8 and 50, as well as adults of all ages, has fostered a sense of ownership for the people who live along the developing trail. Community events will take place during 2007 as work on the trail progresses.
 
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News Media: for further information, please contact Michael Keane at 428-6064.